Large Animal Models in Cardiac and Vascular Biomaterials Research and Assessment

Quantitative Analysis of the Relationship between Blood Vessel Wall Constituents and Viscoelastic Properties: Dynamic Biomechanical and Structural In Vitro Studies in Aorta and Carotid Arteries

“…Additionally, physiological parameters (i.e., heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac index, and intracardiac pressures) have been assessed in both anesthetized and conscious sheep, and many 8 Physiology Journal hemodynamic and metabolic variables have shown to be similar to those of other large mammals. In particular, it has been shown that sheep physiological parameters often approximate those of humans, especially parameters related with thrombogenicity [20]. In contrast, swine tend to be exquisitely sensitive to exogenous anticoagulation therapy in an unpredictable fashion.…”

“…In contrast, larger ruminants such as cattle and large variety of swine experience rapid and prolonged growth until reaching a large adult size. Such rapid growth can cause difficulties in experimental protocols (i.e., size matching between prosthetic valves and native valve annulus, resulting in paravalvular leaks and functional valve stenosis) [20]. In addition to the anatomical and functional advantages described above, earlier are docile animals, another factor that makes them suitable for acute and chronic cardiovascular research studies.…”

“…For instance, the similarities allow for the development of models where devices (i.e., left ventricle mechanical assistance devices and intraaortic balloon pumping) are implanted in a site intended for clinical use (i.e., site-specific) and allow for a more accurate analysis of safety and clinical efficacy [6][7][8][9][10]. In particular, the sheep is considered a suitable model for cardiovascular research due to anatomical and physiological characteristics [20]. About this, cardiopulmonary anatomy is similar to that of humans.…”

Quantitative Vascular Evaluation: From Laboratory Experiments to Point-of-Care Patient (Experimental Approach)

“…With respect to the research in pathophysiologic mechanisms of disease, there has always been the need of using in vivo models [ 3 ]. To study the basic biological processes and the mechanisms related to human disease, traditional small animal models ( e.g ., rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits) have provided access to the scientific community to physiological in vivo models.…”

“…Particularly, the sheep model is quite relevant in cardiovascular research, as it is comparatively less complicated to control several variables. Also, the hemodynamic and metabolic parameters of sheep often relate closely with the human condition, especially with respect to thrombogenicity [ 3 ].…”